Florida woman allegedly stabbed husband to death more than 140 times with a meat cleaver
A Florida woman was charged with murder Sunday after allegedly stabbing and bludgeoning her physically disabled husband more than 140 times with a meat cleaver.
Joan Burke, 61, has been charged with first-degree murder and held without bail in the Feb. 11 death of her husband, 62-year-old Melvin Weller, according to the Palm Beach Post.
Weller’s stepson allegedly came home on the night in question and found his stepfather lying in a pool of blood in the kitchen, according to the police report.
Investigators noted a mop, a broom and other cleaning tools next to Weller’s body, blood splatters and smears on the walls, cabinets and counters and knives and a meat cleaver in the kitchen sink.
A tied bag on the counter included a bloody nightgown.
Weller was covered in stab wounds and cuts.
Further inside the house, police found Burke lying in the master bedroom, “conscious and alert” but mute, with cuts on her palms, which investigators said often show up on people who stab with knives.
Police have not publicly identified a motive, but Weller had filed for divorce from Burke in December, according to court records obtained by the Palm Beach Post.
